المعنى الاصطلاحي :

A fatal contagious disease that spreads quickly.

الشرح المختصر :

Tā‘oon (plague): overwhelming contagious bacterial disease that contaminates the air; resulting in affecting the minds and bodies. It is a bacterial infectious acute disease that has many symptoms: ulceration that appears on armpits, elbows, hands, fingers and the rest of the body, associated with swelling and intense pain. The ulceration is usually associated with inflammation causing the area around it to turn black, green, or reddish violet. It also causes heart arrhythmia and vomit. Tā‘oon may refer to three cases: 1-The evident symptoms that are defined by the physicians. 2-Death resulting from it, which is referred to by the authentic Hadith where the Prophet, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, said: " Tā‘oon (plague) is a martyrdom for every Muslim." [Al-Bukhāri (2675) and Muslim (1916)] 3-The cause of the disease. According to an authentic Hadith on the authority of Usāmah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, said: " Tā‘oon is a punishment or torment sent upon the Children of Israel, or those who were before you…" [Muslim (2218)] It is mentioned in the same Hadith in a version reported by Abu Mūsa Al-Ash‘ari, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, said: "It is stabbing by your enemies from the Jinn." [Ahmad (4/395) and Al-Hākim (1/50) who judged it as Sahih/authentic and Adh-Dhahabi agreed with him]

التعريف اللغوي المختصر :

"Tā‘oon": an infectious disease or an epidemic that pollutes the air and, thus, afflicts the moods and bodies.